Place an Ad | Subscribe | Advertise With Us

The Big One

Photo

Donnie Biggs/News & Messenger

OP’s Ryan Heckman gives a thumbs up after hitting a solo home run

Text size: small | medium | large

By Brian Hunsicker

Published: May 14, 2008

Osbourn Park’s lack of celebration was notable: In the few moments after a Cedar Run District-clinching win over rival Osbourn, a few gloves were thrown and more than a few hugs were given and received.
It had been a long time since the Jackets had earned any sort of hardware for their work over the course of a season or a postseason. Coach Rod Hodgson has not had any during his tenure; he noted that the banner inside OP’s gym was bare, though only tournament champions were honored in that way.
By any measure, Wednesday’s 8-1 win was a big one. But more remains; the only long-term rami-fications of this single win were the top spot in the district tournament and the guarantee of hosting a first-round game in the regional tournament.
“Work’s not done,” Hodgson said in a cautionary tone, noting today’s game against Battlefield and the specter of districts.
But moments later, Hodgson allowed himself a smile; he said he had told his daughters that he was numb. The Jackets (17-2, 12-1 district) had gotten the performance they needed from pitcher Matt Waiman, who took a no-hitter into the seventh inning and struck out nine.
And it was a performance they likely expected; the run that was charged to Waiman came in the seventh inning, upping his season ERA to 0.85.
“He’s been solid,” said catcher George Piccirilli, whose three-run home run in the sixth gave OP an 8-0 lead. “He hits his spots all the time. His curveball was working good today. It was effective.”
The Jackets’ first score came on a homer from Ryan Heckman in the first inning. Heckman fouled off 10 pitches from Eagles starter Adam Gontkovic — in all, it was a 13-pitch at-bat — before pulling a fastball over the right-field fence.
“He kept throwing me curveballs and fastballs. I knew I wouldn’t be able to hit that solid,” Heckman said. “So I just kept fouling them off until I got a fastball and that’s the one I hit.”
The lone run for Osbourn (13-6, 8-6) came in the seventh. Ben Garlick’s bases-loaded single brought home courtesy runner Nate Freeze.

Post a Comment

(Requires free registration)

Please avoid offensive, vulgar, or hateful language.
Respect others.
Use the "Report Inappropriate Comment" link when necessary.
See the Terms and Conditions for details.

Click here to post a comment.

Tags relating to this article:

No tags are associated with this article.

Can't find what you're looking for? Try our quick search: